Chocolate Zucchini Bread

I made this Chocolate Zucchini Bread for my coworker's birthday a few weeks ago and it turned out great.  It is chocolatey without being too sweet.  It smelled so good while baking!  This is great for breakfast or dessert.  If you have an abundance of zucchini this summer, you should try this recipe.  I promise you won't be disappointed!   Also, sorry for my lack of blogging/posting recipes lately but life has been keeping me busy this summer.   Hope you make this chocolate zucchini bread soon, enjoy!

This bread is so good that even Buddy wants a taste...too bad he can't!

Chocolate Zucchini Bread

Printable Recipe

Ingredients

1 ½ cups whole wheat flour (or all-purpose)

½ cup cocoa powder

1 teaspoon baking soda

½ teaspoon salt

½ cup butter, room temperature (or 1 stick)

½ cup granulated sugar

½ cup brown sugar, packed

2 eggs

1 teaspoon vanilla

1 ½ cups grated zucchini (1 medium to large zucchini)

1/3 cup chocolate chips

Directions

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.  Grease a 9x5 inch loaf pan with non-stick cooking spray.  Set aside.

In a bowl, whisk to combine flour, cocoa powder, baking soda and salt.  Set aside.

In a stand mixer, beat butter, sugar and brown sugar.  Next, beat in eggs and vanilla.

Slowly add in flour mixture.

Stir in zucchini and chocolate chips.

Pour into prepared loaf pan.

Bake for 45 to 55 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the middle comes out clean.

Allow to cool for at least 5 minutes before removing from pan.

Turkey Chili

Sorry I have been so busy lately and have not had enough time to blog my recipes.   I started a review class a couple nights a week that is work-related to obtain a certification, which is great, but it only reminds me I am not a young college student anymore.  Working all day and then having to take an evening class for another 3 hours is exhausting!  Also the class material is not easy, mostly math and sciences - another reminder that I'm rusty on the material.  The passing statistics on the certification exam is not great, less than 50% pass and in 2010 it was 39% passing of those who took it!  How crazy is that?  Anyway I'm sidetracking...back to this turkey chili, which is awesome.  It took me less than an hour to prep and cook, so not only is this an easy recipe - it is delicious!  I love that I will have plenty of leftovers for work lunches and you can also freeze any leftovers.  I served this turkey chili with cheddar cheese, that I grated myself, sliced avocados, plain greek yogurt and sliced scallions.   I also had jalapeno cheddar bread from the farmers market this week and it went really well with the turkey chili.  

In addition, for a separate meal, you can make a pasta with the turkey chili and add the same toppings.  Enjoy!

Turkey Chili

Printable Recipe 

Ingredients

1 to 2 tablespoons vegetable oil

1 onion, diced (yellow or red)

2 large bell peppers, diced (or 8 to 12 baby peppers)

2 or 3 cloves garlic, minced

1 pound ground turkey
4 or 6 ounce can diced fire-roasted green chiles
15 ounce can pinto beans, rinsed and drained (or kidney beans/black beans)

11 ounce can mexicorn, drained (or whole kernel corn)

28 ounce can crushed tomatoes

15 ounce can diced tomatoes

1 tablespoon tomato paste

1 teaspoon cumin

2 tablespoons chili powder

salt and pepper

Optional Toppings

shredded cheddar cheese

plain greek yogurt or sour cream

avocado, sliced or diced

scallions, sliced

cilantro, chopped

tortilla or corn chips

Directions

Heat vegetable oil in a large pot over medium–high heat.  Add diced onions, bell peppers and garlic.  Sauté for about 5 minutes.

Add in turkey and break up with wooden spoon.  Season with salt and pepper.  Cook turkey until no longer pink, about 3 to 5 minutes. (Note: I added in a little cumin and chili powder to season the turkey.)

Stir in green chiles, pinto beans and corn.  

Pour in diced tomatoes and crushed tomatoes.  Stir in tomato paste.

Stir in cumin and chili powder.

Reduce heat to low.  Cover and simmer for 30 minutes.  Continue to stir occasionally.

Serve in bowls with your favorite toppings.  (Serves 6 to 8)

PBJ Greek Yogurt

This Peanut Butter and Jelly (PBJ) Greek Yogurt is my new favorite breakfast.   It is healthy and less than 350 calories too.  You can also try non-fat yogurt to lower your calories, but I had the Fage 2% already which I like.  This PBJ Greek Yogurt is not only delicious, but can be made quickly.  I have been packing the PBJ Greek Yogurt in a container to bring to work.  I use the Ziploc Twist 'N Lock containers which I have found work great and won't spill.  FYI - I am not getting paid to endorse any products but I wish!  Enjoy!

PBJ Greek Yogurt

Printable Recipe

Ingredients

1 cup plain greek yogurt

1 tablespoon jam or jelly (I used a blueberry jam.)

1 tablespoon peanut butter (I used Trader Joe’s.)

1 tablespoon dried cranberries

Directions

In a small bowl, add yogurt.  Top with jam (or jelly), peanut butter and cranberries.  

Serve as is or stir.

Serves 1.

Coconut Chia Pudding

-->

This Coconut Chia Pudding was surprisingly delicious!  The pudding requires no cooking which is awesome.  I also love the coconut flavors and if you like tapioca, then you will like chia seeds.  If you haven't heard already, chia seeds have been gaining popularity for its health benefits.  Chia seeds are in and flax seeds are out!  Haha!  But seriously chia seeds are really great for you.  Chia seeds are a great source of omega-3 fats, but I have read that you should only eat a small amount a day (max 1 ounce or 2 tablespoons) because chia seeds are very high in fiber, so large amounts can cause stomach upset.

What I love about chia seeds is that you don't have to do anything to them.  Once you put them in a liquid, they become gelatinous and are similar to tapioca.  Remember the chia pets?  The chia seeds are what grows the "hair" on the chia pets!  Crazy huh?  I used to always want a chia pet but I've actually had one, but I always see them in the stores.   They somehow always end up as gag holiday gifts right?  

Anyway if you haven't tried chia seeds, you should go out and buy some now.  I got mine at Trader Joe's, but you can get them at Whole Foods,  online at Amazon or probably any health food store.  Enjoy!

Coconut Chia Pudding

Printable Recipe

Ingredients

1 cup coconut milk

¼ cup chia seeds

¼ cup agave or honey

1 teaspoon vanilla

Directions

In a small bowl or container (I used a mason jar), combine all ingredients.  

 

Stir well.  Cover and refrigerate for at least 2 to 3 hours.  

Serve cold, enjoy!

Baked Chicken Parmesan

Need a simple and healthy dinner idea?   This baked chicken parmesan dish is perfect for date night or a family meal.  Serve it with a side of veggies and pasta for a complete meal.  It also tastes great the next day as leftovers.  You can reheat in a toaster oven for a single meal or microwave.  Enjoy!

 

Baked Chicken Parmsean

Printable Recipe

Ingredients

1 ¼ pounds thin sliced chicken breast (5 pieces)

½ cup Italian breadcrumbs

½ cup parmesan cheese, grated

2 tablespoons olive oil

3 slices mozzarella cheese (You can use shredded cheese too.)

1 cup tomato sauce

 

Directions:

Preheat oven to 400 degrees F.  Lightly spray a baking sheet with cooking spray.

In a bowl, mix together breadcrumbs and parmesan cheese.

In another bowl, add in olive oil.

Lightly coat chicken breast with olive oil, then dip into breadcumb/cheese mixture.  

Place chicken breast onto baking sheet.  Repeat with remaining chicken breasts.

 

Bake for 15 minutes.  Turn each chicken breast over and bake an additional 5 minutes.

 

Remove from oven and spoon tomato sauce over each chicken breast.  Top with ½ slice of mozzarella cheese.  Bake an additional 5 minutes or until cheese is melted.

Top with basil if desired.  Serves 4-5. 

Banana-Strawberry Ice Cream

I have made one ingredient banana ice cream many times and updated the recipe with more tips too.  I finally decided to experiment some more and came up with this healthy banana-strawberry ice cream recipe using only four ingredients!  It is so simple and takes a few minutes to mix together.  With the hot weather in DC lately, this is a perfect dessert or snack.  I hope you try this recipe soon.  Enjoy!

P.S. I gave Buddy and Ellie a little taste and they liked it too!

Banana-Strawberry Ice Cream  

Printable Recipe

Ingredients

1 banana, sliced and frozen

4 or 5 strawberries, frozen

2 tablespoons greek yogurt (I used Fage Total 2%.)

1 teaspoon honey (optional)

 

Directions

Place all ingredients in the food processor (or blender) and process (or blend).   You may need to scrape down the sides and pulse a few times.  When it looks creamy, it is ready! 

 

Serves 1 or 2 if you feel like sharing :)